Super User Felix77 Posted July 30, 2014 Super User Posted July 30, 2014 Wish I was asking this for myself but a friend of mine just got his new boat. He is eager to get it out and start breaking it in but because he works he isn't able to devote the 6 hours to break it in until this weekend. He wasn't sure if he has to break the motor in all at one or if he can break up the time amongst a few days. This would allow him to get an hour or 2 in each night over the next few days. Motor: Mercury 175Pro XS Optimax Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks Quote
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted July 30, 2014 Super User Posted July 30, 2014 The break in period is the first "6" hours of running time. It doesn't matter if you do it in one outing, or over several outings. Just be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions for the break-in period. 1 Quote
(='_'=) Posted July 30, 2014 Posted July 30, 2014 if all the motors need a break in period, why doesnt the manufacturer breaks them in before selling them?? just curious.... Quote
Super User S Hovanec Posted July 30, 2014 Super User Posted July 30, 2014 if all the motors need a break in period, why doesnt the manufacturer breaks them in before selling them?? just curious.... Cause then its a used motor, not a new motor. I would be ticked if my new Honda had 10 hours on the meter when I took delivery. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted July 31, 2014 Super User Posted July 31, 2014 I did mine in 2 outings driving around in circles. Worried about fishing after break in was complete Quote
(='_'=) Posted July 31, 2014 Posted July 31, 2014 Cause then its a used motor, not a new motor. I would be ticked if my new Honda had 10 hours on the meter when I took delivery. well, i know some "new" rifles come with a group shot from them to test for accuracy, and they are still "new"... if i was going to get a new motor, and i had the 2 options, i would definitely prefer one with 10 hours of use, which i know were used by an expert to break it in, rather than a new ZERO hours motor, which i need to break in anyways, risking not doing it properly... Quote
Super User slonezp Posted July 31, 2014 Super User Posted July 31, 2014 well, i know some "new" rifles come with a group shot from them to test for accuracy, and they are still "new"... if i was going to get a new motor, and i had the 2 options, i would definitely prefer one with 10 hours of use, which i know were used by an expert to break it in, rather than a new ZERO hours motor, which i need to break in anyways, risking not doing it properly... At $120 an hour labor rate adds $1200 onto the bill As far as not doing it properly, it's really not that difficult. I was a little anal when I did mine. I brought my son and gave him a stopwatch. I think the first 2 hours I needed to change rpms every 2 minutes. There was still ice on some of the lake and we were dodging icebergs. We must have looked like a couple of really cold idiots 1 Quote
Kevin22 Posted July 31, 2014 Posted July 31, 2014 At $120 an hour labor rate adds $1200 onto the bill As far as not doing it properly, it's really not that difficult. I was a little anal when I did mine. I brought my son and gave him a stopwatch. I think the first 2 hours I needed to change rpms every 2 minutes. There was still ice on some of the lake and we were dodging icebergs. We must have looked like a couple of really cold idiots Don't forget the hour drive to the lake (with a breakfast stop) and a hour trip home (with a dinner stop). Plus likely 3 hours of it being overtime. Better just call it an even 2 grand added to the price. Quote
Super User Way2slow Posted July 31, 2014 Super User Posted July 31, 2014 When they will skimp on just a few dollars to cut cost, do you really think they would spend the major amount of bucks it would cost them to break in every motor they shipped. Today's strategy is build it as cheap as you can with as many cheap Chinese parts as possible to maximize share holders earnings. They only care about keeping failure rates to an acceptable level, while still under warranty, which can be as much as 20% or more by some companies. Quote
(='_'=) Posted August 1, 2014 Posted August 1, 2014 At $120 an hour labor rate adds $1200 onto the bill As far as not doing it properly, it's really not that difficult. I was a little anal when I did mine. I brought my son and gave him a stopwatch. I think the first 2 hours I needed to change rpms every 2 minutes. There was still ice on some of the lake and we were dodging icebergs. We must have looked like a couple of really cold idiots thats a good point, i hadnt considered the labor cost... Quote
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted August 1, 2014 Super User Posted August 1, 2014 They must have a dynamometer for outboards. It seems to me that the manufacturers could perform the break in procedure on a dyno for each engine, on the assembly line, under computer control, taking out most of the labor costs. Even if it added five hundred bucks to the cost of an engine, particularly the expensive larger engines, it would be money well spent by the consumer. The break in hours are the most critical hours in the life of an outboard. Failing to do it properly can greatly reduce the life of an engine. On top of the above, consider this. Everything you do during, and after the break in period is recorded on the motor's computer. Failing to follow the instructions to a "T", during break in, may void the warranty, costing the owner thousands of dollars in the event of engine failure. Quote
(='_'=) Posted August 2, 2014 Posted August 2, 2014 They must have a dynamometer for outboards. It seems to me that the manufacturers could perform the break in procedure on a dyno for each engine, on the assembly line, under computer control, taking out most of the labor costs. Even if it added five hundred bucks to the cost of an engine, particularly the expensive larger engines, it would be money well spent by the consumer. The break in hours are the most critical hours in the life of an outboard. Failing to do it properly can greatly reduce the life of an engine. On top of the above, consider this. Everything you do during, and after the break in period is recorded on the motor's computer. Failing to follow the instructions to a "T", during break in, may void the warranty, costing the owner thousands of dollars in the event of engine failure. i used to work at Ford, and the motors came out of the factory tested, there was a machine that would test each one, turn it on and run it for some time. of course it didnt take 2 or 3 hours(i dont know whats the break in period for an outboard), but, the quantity of motors we produced was way higher than the quantity of outboards sold, so im thinking a similar machine could break it in perfectly. if i was going to purchase a new motor, and assuming the break in period is 2 hours running continuously, considering all the expenses i guess i would prefer to pay $500 extra and receive the motor ready to fish. considering tow vehicle gas (closes lake where i can run for 2 hours non-stop is about 1.5 hours away), outboard gas, oil, and time (time is also money), it add up quickly.... maybe not 1200, but 500 i would definitely pay for that work and the peace of mind knowing if anything happens, its not my fault and the warranty wont be voided because i didnt break it in properly... Quote
Super User S Hovanec Posted August 2, 2014 Super User Posted August 2, 2014 Both of my Hondas (20 and 135) had a 10 hour break-in, from what I can remember. I wouldn't think Merc or Yamaha would be much different. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted August 2, 2014 Super User Posted August 2, 2014 E-tech has no break in period Quote
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